Alfred
James Munnings was born in England on October 8, 1878.
He was the second son of John Munnings, a miller. Munnings
left school at the age of 14 for a six-year apprenticeship
with a firm of lithographers in Norwich. By day he excelled
as a lithographic draughtsman. He studied painting at
night. Although Munnings was offered a job after finishing
his lithographers’ apprenticeship, he turned it
down. Instead, he bought a carpenters shop and converted
it into an artist studio. He supported himself through
freelance poster work and the occasional sale of paintings.
Within months of this decision, he tragically lost his
right eye in an accident. However, the loss did not affect
his determination to paint. In his autobiography, Munnings
wrote of his difficulties. “I wasn’t allowed
to use my right eye for months and when I went to paint
my brush either hit the canvas before I knew it was there
or was not touching it. Mostly it was the latter and I
found myself making strokes in the air nearer and nearer
until I touched the painted surface…”
Munnings
would travel with his man, Bob, a gypsy boy called Shrimp
and seven or eight horses, ponies, a donkey, a blue painted
caravan and a cart for his painting materials---all would
be his models. They would travel until suitable country
was found and then spend weeks painting in the open air.
In 1918, Munnings became an official war artist with
the Canadian Calvary Brigade. His painting of General
Jack Seely on his horse became a turning point in Munnings
career. Munnings was able to skillfully capture both the
rider’s portrait as well as the horse. This led
to many commissions and broughthim money and fame.
In 1920, Munnings married Violet McBride. Violet was
confident of her husband’s greatness as an artist
and tended to all his business matters and promotion.
Over
the course of his long career, 289 of Alfred Munnings’
paintings hung in the Royal Academy Exhibitions. He was elected
President of the Royal Academy in 1947 and was knighted that
same year. In 1949, his last speech as President caused quite
a stir. He publicly excoriated members for practicing modern
art. The affront was exacerbated by the fact that Munnings speech
was broadcast live to millions of people. He was always brutally
honest in his opinions and this speech was no exception.
Munnings died in 1959. His wish was that his paintings be left
to the Nation to promote ‘traditional art’. Lady
Munnings established their home, “Castle House”,
as a museum. The house, studio, 40 acres of land and all of
Munnings paintings in Lady Munnings possession were put into
a trust and are now open to the public.
Alfred
James Munnings was born in England on October 8, 1878.
He was the second son of John Munnings, a miller. Munnings
left school at the age of 14 for a six-year apprenticeship
with a firm of lithographers in Norwich. By day he excelled
as a lithographic draughtsman. He studied painting at
night. Although Munnings was offered a job after finishing
his lithographers’ apprenticeship, he turned it
down. Instead, he bought a carpenters shop and converted
it into an artist studio. He supported himself through
freelance poster work and the occasional sale of paintings.
Within months of this decision, he tragically lost his
right eye in an accident. However, the loss did not affect
his determination to paint. In his autobiography, Munnings
wrote of his difficulties. “I wasn’t allowed
to use my right eye for months and when I went to paint
my brush either hit the canvas before I knew it was there
or was not touching it. Mostly it was the latter and I
found myself making strokes in the air nearer and nearer
until I touched the painted surface…”
Munnings
would travel with his man, Bob, a gypsy boy called Shrimp
and seven or eight horses, ponies, a donkey, a blue painted
caravan and a cart for his painting materials---all would
be his models. They would travel until suitable country
was found and then spend weeks painting in the open air.
Over
the course of his long career, 289 of Alfred Munnings’
paintings hung in the Royal Academy Exhibitions. He was elected
President of the Royal Academy in 1947 and was knighted that
same year. In 1949, his last speech as President caused quite
a stir. He publicly excoriated members for practicing modern
art. The affront was exacerbated by the fact that Munnings speech
was broadcast live to millions of people. He was always brutally
honest in his opinions and this speech was no exception. 